In the early 17th century, Ewfame Dundas, a woman from Caithness, found herself embroiled in the turbulent witch trials of the period, an era marked by suspicion and fear. The records indicate that Ewfame's name surfaced on the 2nd of July, 1629, linking her to allegations of witchcraft. Her life, already complicated by a prior public act of repentance for fornication with a man named James Sinclair, drew further scrutiny when she was accused alongside other individuals suspected of similar offenses within Edinburgh's jurisdiction.
Ewfame's connection with James Sinclair, who was notably the uncle of another accused witch implicated in her group, may have affected her standing and the perception of her character within the community. Her previous need to repent for her liaison with Sinclair would have placed her under the watchful gaze of society and possibly contributed to the ease with which she was swept up in the witch trials. Despite the gravity of the accusations against her, the details of her actual trial in Edinburgh remain sparse, typical of the era's scant record-keeping regarding such proceedings. Nonetheless, Ewfame Dundas's case serves as a poignant reminder of a time when personal transgressions and unfortunate associations could lead to life-altering accusations within the charged atmosphere of 17th-century Scotland.